Record assembly



1 Feb. 15 1938. w A. PRINGLE RECORD ASSEMBLY Filed April 15, 1931 INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. PP/NGLE ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 15, 1938 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECORD ASSEMBLY Application April 15, 1931. Serial No. 530,199

. 11 Claims. (01. zap-12)- This invention relates to improvements in record suppliesfor making manifoldlng records, being adapted for use in various forms of writing machines such as autographic registers, typewriting machines, billing machines and the like. With reference to some of its more particular features the invention relates to improvements in a record or manifolding assembly of record strips of the continuous traveller type which may be conveniently folded together with transfer material or interleaved transfer strips of the continuous traveller type into a zigzag folded supply pack.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved manifolding assembly of the class mentioned wherein the several manifolding strips thereof are maintained in correctly assembled relation for the reception of inscriptions, and may be conveniently separated from each other after the inscriptions have been made, at the same time being convenient in use and capable of economical manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a manifolding assembly of the class mentioned, an improved arrangement for maintaining the record leaves in correct superposed alignment with each other and for keeping the transfer leaves or strips in their correct interleaved positions with the record leaves.

According to another important feature of the invention the "record and transfer strips of the assembly are secure in position against relative displacement with reference to each other, and yet the securing arrangement is of such a flexible character that the free folding of the assembly strips into a zigzag supply pack is not impaired, thus providing an arrangement whereby the superposed layers or leaves of the assembly may lie flat in the supply pack, and when unfolded there- 40 from, avoiding bulging of the strips at the connected portions thereof or at the fold lines. For the accomplishment of this purpose in the illustrative embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the attachment between the record strips and the transfer strips positioned adjacent the fold lines are impositive or flexible in nature permitting slight longitudinal or transverse adjustment between the record and transfer strips,. although the connections between the record strips themselves or between the transfer strips may be of a more positive nature.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for separating the differentsets of strips or leaves from each other after the 55 inscriptions have been made and after the sets of leaves have been severed from the supply assembly.

,Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for manifolding assemblies of the class mentioned whereby the record leaves remain locked or secured together supply assembly, and whereby the interleaved transfer leaves may'remain similarly secure together after severance from the supply.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement in a manifolding assembly of the class mentioned whereby the inscribed record leaves may be conveniently separated in a unitary attached set from the transfer leaves after the-set of leaves has been severed from the supply assembly. Another important object of the invention is to provide in a manifolding assembly of the class mentioned, an improved arrangement of selective grip-forming apertures whereby the inscribed record leaves may be easily separated from the transfer leaves after the inscribed set has been severed from the supply assembly.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure of an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious in connectontherewith.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements, which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For amore complete understanding of the nature andobjects of the invention reference is had to the following detailed description, and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of manifolding strips embodying the invention, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, partially diagrammatic view, the record and transfer strips being separated to disclose the structure and assembly relation.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawing there are a plurality of record strips 5 of the continuous traveller typearranged in superposed manifolding relation with each other. Each of these record strips may be provided with blank forms or writing spaces 6 arranged in a longitudinal series, and in superposed aligned or registering relation on the different record strips. Transverse division lines I are preferably arranged between the adjacent blank after they have been torn from the composite forms in each record strip thus dividing said strip into a longitudinal series of record leaves 8, it being understood that a record leaf is regarded as a part of the record strip intercepted between adjacent division lines I. These division lines are herein disclosed as weakened transverse lines whereby the leaves after being inscribed may be conveniently torn from the record assembly. This weakening may be formed in any well known preferred manner, either by perforations or otherwise.

Interleaved in manifolding transfer relation with the record strips 5 are the transfer or carbon strips 9 which are also of the continuous traveller type. Although two such transfer strips are herein disclosed it will be understood that any number from one up to a desired maximum may be employed depending upon the number of copies required. As shown the transfer strips 9 are also formed with transverse severance lines I0, preferably also weakened in any preferred manner. The severance lines of the record and transfer strips are' preferably arranged in depthwise groups along the assembly and the lines I mayfolded supply pack I2, the folds preferably as shown being substantially coincident with the transverse weakened lines I and III. A supply pack of any desired volume may be made up in this manner and used as desired in any type of machine for which the supplies are adapted. While it is preferred that the strips 9 be provided with transfer material or carbon on but one surface thereof as indicated at I3, for some purposes both surfaces may be carbonized. Also the strips 9 may be free of carbon on both surfaces, thus forming record strips and the transfer material may be supplied in some other manner, such for example as coating the back surfaces of the record strips.

Although in the broader aspects of the invention the division lines between the successive leaves of the strips need not assume any physical form, the leaves of the respective strips following in succession one fter another, yet it is advantageous that these linesas herein disclosed be in the form of weakened severance lines and also arranged at the folds where the folded, type of supply is used.

Each record strip 5 is provided at intervals therealong with apertures II serving as gripforming apertures and also to provide a flexible or adjustable attachment between the alternate strips as later more fully described. These pforming apertures as shown are preferably arranged in a longitudinal series in each of the record strips. They are also preferably positioned coincident with the severance lines 'I in the respective strips, but only at the alternate severance lines, each strip at the intermediate alternate severance lines being unprovided with the apertures I4 as clearly shownin the drawing. Looking at it another way, the grip-forming apertures of each strip are longitudinally spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the combined lengths of two of the strip leaves. Also as shown the severance lines I transect the respective apertures I4 so that parts of each of the apertures will lie at both sides of the respective severance lines. In the embodiment shown the severance lines I substantially bisect the grip forming apertures I4.

Likewise, the transfer strips 9 are formed with apertures I5 spaced in a series along each transfer strip, the arrangement being similar to that of the apertures I4 in the record strips. The apertures I5 are also positioned only at alternate severance lines I ll of the transfer strips being omitted at the other severance lines. Both the apertures ll of the record strips and apertures I5 of the transfer strips may be of suificient size for convenient reception of the thumb or finger, so

that they may serve as grip apertures when the leaves are severed fromthe supply assembly. Also the apertures I4 and I5 may be made of suitable shape, the circular form as shown being convenient and each aperture being substantially symmetrically positioned with reference to opposite sides of the respective division lines so that substantially similar sections of these apertures are presented at opposite sides of the division lines.

When the strips 5 and 9 are assembled after beingformed with the apertures and severance lines as described, the apertures I4 of the record strips are staggered longitudinally with the apertures I5 of the transfer strips as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the apertures I4 of the record strips however being alinged or in registry with each other depthwise of the assembly, and the apertures I5 of the transfer strips being similarly in register with each other. It will thus be seen that the apertures II are arranged in alternation longitudinally of the assembly with the apertures I5,

- and that both the apertures l4 and I5 are positioned only in alternate strips depthwise of the assembly at each of the division lines between adjacent sheets. The apertures I4 are thus arranged in a longitudinal series of sets, the apertures of eachset being in registry with each other and the apertures I5 are similarly arranged in .sets, these aperture sets It and I5 alternating with each other along the assembly.

While the apertures I4 and I5 are preferably arranged Intermediate the side edges of the strips 5 and 5 as shown, yet for some purposes they may be positioned elsewhere, as for example at the side edges of the strips, either both at the same side of the sets of record leaves or at diagonally opposite corners thereof. Since the apertures I4 and I5 alternate longitudinally of the assembly as mentioned, grip areas I6 and II of the transfer strips 9 will be exposed through the respective apertures I4 for selectiveLv gripping the transfer strips, and similar gripping areas I8 and I9 of the record strips will be selectively exposed for pping purposes through the transfer strip apertures I5.

Securing devices 20 are provided at spaced intervals along the assembly for securing the record strips 5 to each other, and similar securing devices 2I similarly arranged along the assembly are provided for securing the transfer strips together. The securing devices 20 and 2| may be of any convenient preferred form, the staples or stitches either of light wire or thread as shown being convenient for this purpose It should be noted that these securing devices 20 and 2i a're diagrammatically shown as elongated in both Figs. 1 and 2 for the P rpose of facilitating the disclosure; in practice they will only be of sum- I cient length to pass through the superposed strips so as to hold them together in a compact assembly. The securing staples or stitches 20 and 2i shown are arranged in pairs or groups of two positioned adjacent each set of severance lines land It, one staple of each pair. being at one side of the severance line and spaced therefrom, while the other staple is similarly positioned and spacedat the opposite side thereof.

An important feature of these attaching devices is to position the attaching staples or stitches 20 and 2| so that they pass respectively through the sets of openings I5 and i4. Thus the staples 20-will selectively secure the record strips 5 to each other, passing through the gripping areas It thereof, while the staples 2i will selectively secure the transfer strips 9 together passing through" the gripping areas l6 and I] thereof. or looking at it another way the staples have selective engagement and attachment with the respective record and transfer strips and pass freely through the apertures l4 and I5 of the respective strips. Since as shown in thepreferred embodiment the staples pierce the respective strips, vthe attachment of the staples to the strips is positive in nature. However, the staples pass freely through the respective apertures and are free from direct attachment with the strips at the apertures thereof. It will therefore be seen that the transfer strips 9 are not directly or positively secured together by the staples 20, and the record strips 5 are not directly or positively secured together by the staples 2i.

However, the set of record strips 5 is impositively or adjustably connected to the set of interleaved transfer strips by means of the staples 2d and 2|. This is accomplished by virtue of the staples passing through the sets of apertures It and I5 as described. Since the apertures i4 and .i5 are preferably slightly, greater in diameter .record strips may move or be adjusted slightly with referenceto the other'set or transfer strips, thus permitting the assembled strips to fold sharply and smoothly into "the zig-zag pack i2, preventing bulging anddistortion. Also when the strips are extended from the supply pack for use, this flexible or adjustable connecting arrangement permits the strips to lie flat and smooth in perfect manifolding contact with each other, bindingand distortion of the strips being effectually avoided.

The objects and nature of the invention having been set forth and an illustrative embodiment described in detail, its use or operation will now be understood and may be summarized as follows:

when the forward set of leaves, that set at the left of Fig. 1, has been inscribed either by the use of a machine or manually, the-inscribed set set of interleaved carbon leaves II, is thus sepaset of leaves may be detached from the complete assembly before inscription thereof and subsequently inserted into a writing machine for receiving inscriptions. Since each set of leaves includes only the record and transfer leaves, being free from excess thicknesses such as cardboard backing or the like, it is flexible and thoroughly pliable throughout its extent, thus being well adapted for insertion in writing position in writing machines employing cylindrical platens, and for similar uses. Since the division line I Fig. 1 lies between the two securing stitches 2|, the transfer leaves will remain attached together in the severed unit; the inscribed leaves will also remain attached together by the stitch 20. The gripping areas iii of the inscribed record leaves are now selectively gripped through the gripping apertures i5 while the gripping areas i 6 are similarly selectively gripped through the apertures Hi.

conveniently separated from the inscribed record leaves 8. The set of attached record leaves may then be separated from each other as desired, or any desired number of them may remain attached either for filing or for the reception of additional inscriptions, or for other purposes. The transfer leaves which are preferably of the one time type may then be discarded.

Since the apertures i4 and i5, when the leaves have been severed from the supply assembly, provide grip apertures through which the sets of record and carbon leaves are selectively gripped, these apertures are herein referred to as selective grip-forming apertures. As these grip-forming apertures extend both forwardly and rearwardly oi the respective division lines, selective grip apertures will be provided at each end of each ofthe severed groups of leaves.

Although the record strips are herein disclosed as being separate from each other, yet it will be understood that the invention is applicable to fan-folded record strips of the continuous traveller type, this being a type record strip wellknown in the art. If the edge-attached or fanfolded type of record strip is employed each layer or ply thereof may be formed with apertures and division lines as above described, and the transfer strips formed as described may be interleaved in manifolding relation between adjacent plies of the fan-folded record strip.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

' Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by letters Patent, is:

1. A manifolding assembly including in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed continuous strips, each having a series of transverse division lines dividing the respective strips into a series of leaves and forming a series of sets of relatively superposed leaves, respective corresponding division lines of the several strips being arranged in groups in the assembly, said strips havinglongitudinally spaced selective grip-forminga'pertures positioned only in the vicinity of alternate" division lines in the respective strips, and selective securing means selectively attached directly to and securing together a part only of said securing means attached directly to a part only of said strips and securing them together at each said leaf set and being free of being inwardly spaced from both of the opposite direct attachment to the remainder of the leaves of the said sets, said securing means for the two adjacent ends of adjacent leaf sets including two separate and independent securing devices each of which'is adjacent to but spaced at short distance from the respective group of division lines, said independent securing devices being positioned at opposite sides of said division lines.

2. A manifolding assembly, including in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed continuous strips including a plurality of continuous record strips and at least one continuous transfer strip interleaved in transfer relation with the record strips, each of said record and transfer strips having a series of transverse division lines dividing the respective strips into a series of leaves so as to form a series of sets of relatively superposed record and transfer leaves, the strips of said assembly being provided with selective grip forming apertures arranged in a longitudinal series in each strip, said grip forming apertures longitudinal strip edges so as to be completely surrounded by the strip material, said grip forming apertures being provided only in the vicinity of the alternate division lines in the transfer strip and only in alternate record and transfer strips depthwise of the assembly at the respective aperture points therealong so as to expose grip sections of the respective strips, said grip sections being transected by the respective division lines, and securing devices for said record strips positioned at the respective said grip sections thereof and arranged in pairs, said pairs passing respectively through the grip forming apertures and having attaching engagement with the record strips to secure them together, the securing devices of each of said pairs being separate and independent of each other and disposed at opposite eiides of and spaced from the adjacent division 3. A manifolding assembly including, in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed continuous strips including a plurality of continuous record strips and at least one continuous transfer strip interleaved in transfer relation with the record strips, said continuous strips having successive transverse fold lines for folding them into a zig-zag pack, said transfer strip having apertures arranged in a longitudinal series and respectively positioned to extend across and to lie at both sideslof the fold. lines, and securing devices securing the record strips together at a plurality of points along the assembly respectively coincident with said transfer strip apertures, there being two of said securing devices separate and independent of each other at each of the transfer strip apertures, one of which is spaced a short distance forwardly of the adjacent fold line and the other being spaced a short distance rearwardly thereof, said securing devices extending respectively through said transfer strip apertures and being substantially smaller than the latter so as to form adjustable connections between the record and transfer strips.

4. A manifolding assembly including, in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed long continuous traveler record and transfer strips. positioned in inscription transfer relation with each other, each of said record and transfer strips having longitudinally spaced transverse division lines dividing the respective strips into a series of leaves so as to form sets of record and transfer leaves, said division lines being arranged in groups along the assembly, and pairs of strip securing devices at each of a plurality of points along the assembly, the securing devices of each of said pairs being separate and independent of each other and positioned respectively adjacent opposite sides of the respective group of division lines but spaced at short distances from the latter, the securing devices of certain of said pairs having direct attaching engagement only with the record leaves of the respective sets and being positioned outside of the edges of the corresponding transfer leaves.

5. A manifolding assembly including, in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed long continuous traveler record and transfer strips in inscription transfer relation with each other, each of said record and transfer strips having a series of longitudinally spaced transverse division lines arranged in groups in the assembly and dividing each strip into a series of leaves so as to form a series of sets of record and transfer leaves, and strip securing devices for holding said strips together, said securing devices engaging the top assembly strip at each of said leaf sets and being arranged in groups each including two separate and independent securing members longitudinally spaced apart, one of the securing members of 'each group engaging the strips at a point thereof spaced at one side of the respective groups of lines and the other engaging the strips at a point thereof spaced at the other side of said line group, and a selective leaf-separating formation in each said leaf set spaced from the respective said securing member to assist in separating the leaves of a severed set from each other.

6. A manifolding assembly including, in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed long continuous traveler record and transfer strips in inscription and transfer relation with each other, each of said record and transfer strips having a series of longitudinally spaced transverse division lines arranged in groups in the assembly and dividing each strip into a series of leaves, strip securing devices for holding said strips together, said securingdevices being arranged in pairs, the securing members of each said pair being longitudinally spaced apart and separate and independent of each other, each member of each pair of securing devices being positioned adworksheet strips, said worksheet and carbon strips having longitudinally spaced transverse division lines dividing the respective strips into a series of leaves and forming a series of sets of interleaved record and carbon leaves in transfer relation with each other, the carbon strip having apertures arranged at intervals therealong inwardly removed from each of its opposite lateral edges to provide zones of face-tq-face direct contact of adjacent worksheet strips with each other extending'longitudinally of the pile; said apertures of the carbon strips extending respectively across said division lines and lying on both sides of the latter, and means located along said pile and in said zones of direct contact for securing the adjacent worksheet strips together and holding the carbon strip captive in the pile.

' a 8. A manifolding assembly including, in comand longitudinally spaced and located respectively .within said apertures, said apertures opening through the edges of the respective leaves so that the fastening means may pass therefrom when a set of leaves is divided along said division lines, and a selective grip formation in each said set of leaves spaced from the respective grip forming apertures whereby the intermediate leaf of a severed set may be selectively gripped to the exclusion of .the leaves which are attached together by said fastening means.

9, A manifolding assembly including, in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed continuous strim, each having a series of transverse division lines dividing the respective strips into a series of leaves and forming a series of sets of relatively superposed leaves, one or more of the intermediate continuous strips having longitudinally spaced selective grip forming apertures positioned only in the vicinity of alternate division lines thereof and being inwardly spaced from each of the opposite longitudinal strip edges, said grip forming apertures extending to both of the opposite sides of the respective division lines, fastening means attaching together strips above and below said intermediate strip and longitudinally spaced and located respectively within said apertures, a plurality of said fastening means separate and independent of each other being within the respective apertures and spaced both forwardly and rearwardly of said division lines, said apertures opening through the edges of the respective leaves so that the fastening means at each side of said division lines may pass freely from the aperture when a set of:

leaves is divided along the dividing lines, and a selective grip formation in each said set of leaves spaced from the respective grip forming apertures whereby one or more of said leaves may be selectively gripped to the exclusion of the others.

10. A manifolding assembly including, in combination, a plurality of relatively superposed continuous record strips, a plurality of continuous transfer strips interleaved in transfer relation with said record strips, said record and transfer strips each having a longitudinal series of transverse weakened division lines dividing the respective strip into a series of leaves and forming a series of sets of relatively superposed record and transfer leaves, said transfer strips having longitudinally spaced selective grip forming apertures positioned only in the vicinity of the alternate division lines thereof, said record strips also having longitudinally spaced selective grip forming apertures positioned only in the vicinity of alternate division lines thereof but being 1ongitudinally spaced in the assembly from the first mentioned grip forming apertures, said apertures of the record and transfer strips being entirely surrounded by strip material and opening through the edges of the respective leaves intermediate the opposite lateral edges thereof, fastening means attaching together the record strips at different points along the assembly and located respectively within said apertures of the transfer strips, and fastening means attaching together said transfer strips at different points along the assembly and located respectively within said apertures of the record strips.

11. A manifolding assembly having a plurality of relatively superposed continuous strips includ-- ing a plurality of continuous record strips and at least one continuous transfer strip interleaved in transfer relation with the record strips, each of said record and transfer strips having a series of transverse division lines dividing the respective strips into a series of leaves so as to form a series of sets of relatively superposed record leaves with.

at least one transfer leaf in each set, the strips of said assembly being formed with selective gripforming apertures arranged in sets and the apertures of each set being in superposed relation with each other, said apertures being provided only in the vicinity of alternate division lines in the respective strips, and each extending across and lying on both sides of the respective division lines, each of said apertures being wholly closed by the strip material and being spaced inwardly from the opposite longitudinal edges of the respective strips, and the apertures of the superposed sets being provided only in alternate strips depthwise of the assembly.

WILLIAM A. PRINGLE.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,108,510(, February 15, 1958.

- WILLIAM A, PRINGLE It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, second column, lines 71 to FL; inclusive, claim 1, strike out the words "selectively attached directly to and securing together a part only of said securing means attached directly to a part only of said" and insert instead attached directly to a part only of said; and that the said Letters Patent should I be read with this correction therein "that the same may conform to the record I of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 28th day of June, A D. 1958.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Sea1) Acting Commissioner of Patents, 

